on his face. “You’ve fooled around with women, is what you’re saying.”
She focused her attention out the window, willing herself to not break character. “Yeah, I had a girlfriend in prison.” She knew the FBI agents were listening to this conversation and wondered what they were thinking. Her earrings seemed suddenly heavy, and the phone in her pocket seemed to dig into her hip.
Isaias was silent for a moment. He pulled off into a narrow driveway between two three-story apartment buildings, and parked the SUV alongside an old Toyota covered in stickers. “You’ve really never had a cock in you? Shit, I don’t believe that. What about Evan?” He cut the engine and looked at her.
Riel made her face blank and shrugged. “He wanted to, but he’s a jerk, and I just don’t like him that way.” She met Isaias’ eyes shyly. “It’s always been you I wanted, even when I was little, when you and Lizette first got married.” She dropped her gaze, her cheeks burning; it was from embarrassment at the depth of her lie, but he grinned wide and she knew she’d hit her mark.
“Let me show you what a man can do for you, Riel.” He reached out and took her hand, stroking her fingers with his thumb. “I’ll make you feel good in ways a woman never could.”
“But Isaias, I…you know, I don’t just want to be something else on the side for you. I want it to mean something. I want my first time with you to be something special.”
He ran his fingers along her arm, her shoulder, brushed back her hair from her face. “You want the bed covered in rose petals or something? I can do that. Give me a minute to go to the store.”
“No, Isaias.” She brought her eyes to his. “I want it to be real. And I want to feel right about it.”
Her heart hammered. If he got mad, her whole plan would fall apart right here. But his eyes were glazed over with lust, not anger. “What do you want, babe?” he asked.
“Once this deal goes through, you’re going to have a buttload of money. I want you to set it up so that my sister and her kids are taken care of, otherwise I’m going to feel like total shit about this. Then I want us to run off together, get set up somewhere else, somewhere warmer. You don’t need Mama Maria anymore anyway. She’s just taking all the money and not doing anything except boss you around. It’s time for you to go it on your own.”
She watched his eyes as he considered this. He made a face that was half scowl, half smile. “You’re right about that, Riel.”
She took his other hand, interlacing her fingers with his. “Will you do that for me? Just you and me, somewhere nice…and I can fuck you every night, and sleep in your arms.”
His eyes shone, and he pulled her closer over the console, his hand sliding down to squeeze one of her breasts. “Partners in crime, huh?” he murmured in her ear. “That’s not such a bad idea, Riel.”
He kissed her, and she closed her eyes, imagining that it was Evan’s lips on hers, his hand sliding up her shirt. She knew she had to give Isaias something in order to make this believable. She also knew he wouldn’t give up trying to get her to go all the way. But, if all went as planned, in a few more days he’d be in jail and she wouldn’t have to worry about his bullshit anymore.
Chapter Fifteen
The apartment Isaias set her up in wasn’t so bad. It was furnished and had a view of the bustling street. But the cable and internet weren’t working, there was no food in the kitchen, and she didn’t have much to do but sit and wait. She wished she’d brought her guitar, but it had seemed like a bad idea. She might have to get out of here in a hurry, and then she’d have to leave it behind. But she wasn’t really unhappy being alone in the quiet; at least she’d been able to get rid of Isaias.
She took a long nap and didn’t wake up until after dark. She called Evan while she sat at the tiny dining table and munched on leftover fried chicken.
“I miss you so much,” Evan said.
She smiled, twisting her hair between greasy fingers. “I miss you too. But it feels stupid talking about this over